FEMA Pairs With TEEX Under A New Training Contract

FEMA, the Federal Emergency Management Agency awarded Texas A&M Engineering Extension Service a contract to provide Urban Search and Rescue training. The contract could bring in $9.8 million dollars for TEEX, if the contract is extended for five years.

FEMA emergency responders will learn how to react to different circumstances such as rescuing victims from collapsed buildings, or cutting open vehicles. In different environments, FEMA emergency responders will apply their skills, which will help save someone's life during a disaster.

TEEX will also be responsible for developing new courses, updating course curriculum, and deploying an online Training Portal and Learning Management System for the national FEMA US&R System. Training will be conducted at the Disaster City facility in College Station.

TEEX has provided training for urban search and rescue teams from around the world since 1997.

COLLEGE STATION, TX – The Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) has awarded the Texas A&M Engineering Extension Service (TEEX) a contract to provide all of the Urban Search and Rescue (US&R) training for the National US&R Response System. TEEX will provide US&R courses at various locations across the country and also at its Disaster City® training facility located in College Station, TX. In addition to delivering US&R courses, TEEX will also be responsible for developing new courses, updating course curriculum, and deploying an online Training Portal and Learning Management System for the national FEMA US&R System.The initial one-year contract includes four options to extend delivery for up to five years for a combined total of $9.8 Million. Under the National Response Framework, FEMA is designated as the lead agency responsible for providing federal urban search and rescue assistance to state and local governments during federally declared emergencies or disasters. The FEMA National US&R Response System is comprised of 28 different US&R teams from across the country, all of which receive standardized training in the tactics of urban search and rescue. “This is a great opportunity for TEEX and The Texas A&M University System to further our relationship with FEMA,” said Robert Moore, Division Director for TEEX. “Being selected for this contract will allow us to provide the outstanding training and technical services that we are known for around the world.” TEEX has provided training for urban search and rescue teams from around the world since 1997. The award from FEMA recognizes TEEX and its Disaster City facilities as the leading solution for training, curriculum, and online delivery options.The online training systems will become part of FEMA’s efforts to provide training records management and allow emergency responders to take portions of their courses in a blended learning format. The blended learning courses will be delivered on TEEX’s FreedomPro™ Training Portal and FreedomLearn™ Learning Management System software packages. This contract marks the first time that FEMA has combined course delivery with curriculum services and an online training portal in a single contract. David Martin, Program Director for the TEEX Rescue Programs, says that his team at Disaster City is looking forward to working with FEMA to update courses and deliver high quality training that is synonymous with TEEX. Martin added: “TEEX has a tremendous array of staff and services to support the FEMA contract and make sure they receive the highest quality training and curriculum services.”About TEEXWorld-renowned for its hands-on, customized training, the Texas A&M Engineering Extension Service (TEEX) offers a wide range of technical and skills training programs aimed at employed workers and those entering the labor force. During its fiscal year 2012, TEEX provided training and technical assistance to more than 183,750 people from all 50 states, five U.S. territories, the District of Columbia and 79 countries.TEEX is a member of The Texas A&M University System, one of the largest and most complex systems of higher education in the United States. Through a statewide network of 11 university campuses, seven state agencies and a comprehensive health science center, the A&M System educates nearly 125,000 students, conducts more than $780 million in research and reaches another 22 million people through service and outreach programs each year.

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